A Florida evangelist who bragged that airline passengers have ‘no choice’ but to listen to her sermons was booted from a flight after the crew said they no longer felt safe with her onboard.

Whitney Lynn, 40, stood in the aisle of an Alaska Airlines jet at Orlando International Airport on Thursday and began preaching as passengers waited for the delayed flight to depart for San Diego.

Lynn recorded the ordeal and shared the footage in a seven-part series on Instagram. She told her fellow travelers that God’s timing was perfect and suggested that he might be protecting them from danger. 

‘Maybe he’s sparing us from danger today,’ she said during the sermon, which lasted less than a minute.

Lynn claimed she finished the message and returned to her seat without being asked to stop or sit down.

But an airline employee then ordered her to collect her belongings and leave the aircraft.

‘The crews don’t feel safe with you,’ he told her in footage Lynn shared on social media.

Lynn repeatedly asked why she was being removed and described the incident as ‘spiritual warfare.’

Lynn is an Orlando-based evangelist, singer-songwriter, producer and self-described ‘deliverance minister’ who regularly records herself preaching in public

‘Demons don’t like the name of Jesus,’ she declared as she prepared to leave.

She then delivered a final message to passengers, telling them: ‘We are in the last days. We are being persecuted, persecuted to be a Christian.’

Lynn continued filming as she confronted the employee escorting her from the jet.

‘I didn’t know the message of Jesus Christ was unsafe,’ she said. ‘So freedom of speech is not safe?’

At one point, she asked the employee whether he was from Puerto Rico because she said she could not understand him.

Lynn later accused him of trying to shut a door on her and failing to notify the airline about her removal.

She also claimed a flight attendant pushed her bag with her foot and then lied about it.

None of Lynn’s allegations against individual employees has been independently verified.

Lynn said she preaches on most flights because passengers ‘have no choice but to hear the truth,’ describing her message as a life raft offered to someone who is drowning

Advertisement

Alaska Airlines allegedly barred Lynn from its flights ‘for the foreseeable future,’ while she said she was considering taking legal action

Lynn subsequently spent about 40 minutes speaking with police officers at the airport and said she had been given the opportunity to pray over them.

No arrests or criminal charges have been reported.

Lynn continued preaching after leaving the plane and claimed that she managed to convert two people.

One of her videos had attracted three million Instagram views by Friday afternoon, according to The Washington Post.

Lynn released footage of the saga in at least seven installments as part of what she called her ‘Kicked Off the Plane for Preaching the Gospel’ series.

She described the sermon as one of the ‘softest’ messages she had ever delivered.

‘This wasn’t a harsh message at all,’ she wrote. ‘That’s why I was so shocked.’

‘But the truth is, demons tremble at the name of Jesus. It doesn’t matter whether the message is soft or bold – when you share the gospel, it offends some people.’

Lynn later spent about 40 minutes speaking with police officers at Orlando International Airport, but she was not arrested or charged

The Florida evangelist has amassed more than 270,000 Instagram followers by sharing videos of her sermons on planes, streets and other public spaces

Alaska Airlines said its crew became increasingly concerned about Lynn’s behavior and removed her for safety reasons.

‘The passenger was asked to deplane the aircraft for safety reasons,’ the airline said.

‘For the foreseeable future, the guest will not be permitted to travel on our flights.’

Lynn said she was initially told she could rebook and arranged to take another flight later that night.

But two and a half hours before its scheduled departure, she received an email from the company’s corporate security department informing her that she had been banned pending an investigation.

The email said she could not travel aboard Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines or Horizon Air while the companies investigated reports concerning her recent travels.

She received a flight credit but said she had no way to use it while barred from the carriers.

Lynn, who said she was traveling to California to attend a follower’s funeral, ultimately rebooked with another airline.

Some of her followers urged her to sue, but Lynn said she was ‘praying’ about whether to pursue legal action.

The evangelist continued filming as she confronted the employee escorting her from the aircraft and questioned whether her freedom of speech had been violated

She compared herself to the biblical figures Moses and Esther and claimed that the airline had violated her First Amendment rights.

‘This isn’t about anything other than my freedom of speech and my First Amendment rights being infringed upon because of religious discrimination,’ she wrote.

The First Amendment generally restricts government action rather than decisions made by private companies.

Lynn also questioned why members of the LGBTQ community and abortion-rights advocates could speak publicly while she was removed for talking about Jesus.

‘But the minute we talk about Jesus for 56 seconds on a plane, I literally get persecuted, kicked off, and banned?’ she wrote.

Lynn previously discussed her habit of turning aircraft cabins into makeshift churches just days before the incident.

She told The Washington Post that she preached on most flights and recorded the sermons for social media.

‘They have no choice but to hear the truth,’ she said of her fellow passengers.

‘When I have a gift and I have a life raft, if you’re drowning, I want to give you that life raft so you can be saved.’

Lynn claimed she finished her sermon and returned to her seat without any crew member asking her to stop preaching

An earlier video showed Lynn preaching about sin, hell and redemption as passengers waited to leave another plane in San Diego.

‘I just love a captive audience,’ she captioned the footage.

Lynn describes herself as an evangelist, singer-songwriter, producer and ‘deliverance minister’ and has amassed more than 270,000 Instagram followers.

Alaska Airlines has not disclosed what conduct, beyond her sermon and subsequent confrontation, caused the crew to feel unsafe.

The Daily Mail has contacted Lynn, Alaska Airlines and Orlando International Airport for further comment. 

North Yorkshire Council are installing a new zebra crossing in Railway Street in Malton.

A spokesperson for the council said: “This will be installed on the existing raised area outside the Cornmill.

“Work is due to take place between Monday 10 August and Friday 28 August under traffic light control.

“We will also require a full road closure for one or two days.

“The exact date of this closure depends on progress. Please look out for signage for notice of the road closure.

“To facilitate this closure we will be lifting the one-way system.”

A fresh controversy has engulfed the amateur cricket club at the centre of the ‘Clicky Ponting’ cheating scandal after an umpire released footage appearing to show another player deploying the same tactic.

Saltburn Cricket Club has been at the centre of a storm after fielder Brian Devine allegedly cheated during a Second XI Division Two match against Norton. Video footage of Devine appearing to be clicking his fingers to mimic the sound of a bat edge, tricking the umpire into giving the batsman out, went viral on social media.

On Monday, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League launched an investigation into Devine, 38, who has since been suspended by the club for the ‘foreseeable future’.

Now, fresh footage has emerged appearing to show another Saltburn player successfully using the same tactic during a Third XI match against Marton.

The fielder appears to click his fingers as the ball flies past the bat and into the wicketkeeper’s gloves, prompting the on-field umpire to give the batsman out. The footage was posted on social media by Berkshire-based umpire Andy Smy.

The captain of another team in the same league earlier this week claimed the alleged tactic had not been confined to Saltburn’s victory over Norton.

He said: ‘It was not confined to just one game. I was at the other end when one of our players was dismissed and I heard a big sound as the ball went through and immediately thought: “He’s out.”

‘The umpire didn’t hesitate either, but our batsman was adamant he was nowhere near the ball and couldn’t understand the loud click.

‘In all we had three batsmen given out caught behind, but all of them said they hadn’t touched the ball. One protested so much the umpire had to speak to him and threaten him with a warning.

‘I know of at least three other teams who now have suspicions and it should be noted that in one match against Shildon their wicketkeeper took eight catches.

‘You hear of all kinds of things going on in cricket but this is something I haven’t heard of before. I hope the league takes appropriate action.’

Earlier this week, Saltburn’s Second XI forfeited their match against Marton, dumping themselves out of a cup competition, with a source close to the league saying ‘none of the players will have wanted anything to do with this game while they’re under such focus’.

They did, however, return to the field on Saturday for a league match against Marton. And table-toppers Saltburn crashed to a nine-wicket defeat without Devine fielding at slip, with Marton reaching their total of 101 in just 20 overs.

Amateur cricket player Brian Devine has been caught appearing to click his fingers to make it appear that a batter has been caught behind when in fact they haven’t hit the ball at all

Advertisement

Devine has been dubbed as ‘Clicky Ponting’ on social media for his alleged actions on the cricket field

Saltburn player has been caught on camera seeming to be clicking his fingers

Devine, a father and auction mart worker from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, is planning to ‘lie low’ until the scandal dies down.

A friend said: ‘Brian is completely bewildered by the way this has gone all around the world.

‘He’s had an Australian podcast offering to pay his legal bills today – it’s the first he’s heard that he’s got any legal bills and he’s hoping it won’t get that far.

‘His mates have been telling him to sell his story in Australia, but he just wants it all to go away and hopes he can get back to playing cricket, though at the moment that feels impossible.

‘He woke up on Monday morning thinking the world was still the same place he’d left it the night before and suddenly his story was all over the world – in Australia, India, New Zealand and the UK, of course.

‘He understands why there is an investigation but the reaction from around the world has knocked him sideways.’

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League said it was treating the allegations of cheating ‘with the utmost seriousness’ and called for the ‘rights of all parties’ to be respected amid intense scrutiny on social media.

‘We would want to place on record our genuine concern for the welfare of those at Saltburn Cricket Club and ask for all to take that into account. There are many people at the club and one of our aims will be to provide them with any wellbeing support we can,’ the league said.

‘Whilst we understand, to some degree, the interest this issue has generated in the press and media, it is imperative that, now this process is under way, the rights of all parties are observed, including the overriding principles of natural justice and the right to a fair hearing for any individual or entity concerned.

‘Anything less risks prejudicing any formal action which may follow.’

Saltburn, in a statement on Wednesday, said: ‘This has been a very distressing and stressful experience for all those concerned, and we would ask that this reality is borne in mind and that personal boundaries are respected, as we are an amateur club run entirely by volunteers.’

Prince William has said he was ‘truly saddened to hear of the tragic death’ of British special forces climber and Netflix star, Nirmal Purja. 

The former British Army soldier, 43, was confirmed dead today after his party vanished in an avalanche on a Pakistani mountain, Broad Peak.

Mr Purja, also known as Nims, was among several missing after the avalanche struck the world’s 12th highest mountain at around 12pm local time on Thursday. 

The 43-year-old had been leading an expedition of ten climbers across the mountain. All have been confirmed dead.

His body was found alongside other members of the expedition following search efforts, his climbing company Elite Expeditions said on Saturday. 

Three explorers, Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, Omani climber Nathira Ahmed and American climber Mallory Geis, were also confirmed dead yesterday. 

The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the ex-serviceman, saying that he ‘served with distinction’ before ‘becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers’. 

‘I was truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Nirmal Purja and those who lost their lives in the avalanche on Broad Peak,’ he wrote on X. 

‘Nims served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, putting Nepalese climbers on the map. 

‘His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique. 

#My thoughts are with his family and the families of all those who died.’

Earlier today, Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews said he was praying ‘for a miracle’ for his mountaneering friend.   

Prince William has said he was ‘truly saddened to hear of the tragic death’ of British special forces climber and Netflix star, Nirmal Purja

It comes as the Prime Minister of Nepal, Balendra Shah, announced ten people in total were killed in the avalanche. 

This included Purja, as well as five Nepalis, one climber from Pakistan and Oman, another from America, as well as one Chinese participant. 

Naila Kiana, a spokeswoman for the Alpine Club of Pakistan, described Purja who had led many of the expeditions, as a ‘very experienced climber’ as well as ‘fearless’.

British adventurer Bear Grylls also tribute to the former British soldier, describing the incident as heartbreaking for ‘so many climbers around the world’ who knew him.

‘We will never forget you Nims and your unstoppable spirit,’ he added.

Purja’s company Elite Expeditions said in a statement: ‘It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja, tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak. 

‘We have also received confirmation that other members of this expedition sadly did not survive.

‘Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy including his trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa.

‘Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones. 

‘No words can erase the pain of this unimaginable loss, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they grieve.’ 

Broad Peak, at 8,047 meters (26,401 feet), is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.

The range is home to five of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, attracting climbers from around the globe. 

Earlier, former reality TV star Spencer Matthews said he was praying ‘for a miracle’ for his friend

Advertisement

British adventurer Bear Grylls paid tribute to Mr Purja on Instagram

Purja, who appeared on the 2021 film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, was confirmed dead today

Along with Mr Grylls, Mr Purja was enlisted by Spencer Matthews to help recover the body of his brother, Michael, the youngest Briton to summit Everest who disappeared on the mountain in 1999. 

Despite searching with a team, they did not locate Michael. 

Mr Matthews, 37, shared a photo with the mountaineer on Instagram describing the news as ‘heartbreaking’. 

‘The mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also demand immense respect,’ he said.

‘Every person who ventures into that world understands the risks, yet they go anyway, driven by curiosity, purpose, passion and a deep love for the places few will ever experience.

‘The news from Broad Peak is heartbreaking. So many lives, families, friends and teammates now facing unimaginable loss. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

‘May those who have been lost be remembered not only for how they died, but for how they lived, the courage they showed, and the lives they touched. Rest in peace.’

Born in a village in western Nepal, Mr Purja joined the Gurkhas in his teens, and in one interview described a pair of flip-flops as a luxury during his childhood.

Mr Purja joined the British Army in 2003 and then went on to become a part of the Special Boat Service – the special forces unit of the Royal Navy – in 2009.

He became the first Gurkha to join the elite unit and worked as a cold-weather warfare specialist. 

He served in the British military for 16 years, ten of which were spent in the special forces, and he was awarded an MBE by the late Queen in 2018 for his achievement in extreme high-altitude mountaineering. 

In 2016, he broke mountaineering conventions to rescue a climber left in the “Everest death zone”, bringing her to safety alone. 

He later rose to prominence when he climbed all 14 of the world’s mountains with peaks above 8,000m (26,247ft) in 189 days – smashing the previous record by more than seven years. 

Broad Peak, at 8,047 meters (26,401 feet), is the world’s 12th-highest mountain

Advertisement

Mr Purjal’s documentary received critical acclaim upon its release

The challenge was the focus of a Netflix documentary called 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. 

At the time, he said: ‘It has been a gruelling but humbling six months, and I hope to have proven that anything is possible with some determination, self-belief and positivity.

‘I could not have made it happen without the unending support of my friends and family who have been in my heart this entire time. We started with nothing, but look how far we’ve come.’ 

Mr Purja, who lived with his wife and three-year-old daughter in Hampshire in southern England, said he was the first Gurkha to climb Everest while serving in the British military. 

The farmer, television personality and bestselling author will release Cosy Bedtime Stories from the Farm on September 3, shortly before she returns to screens in a new series of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.

The book features ten short stories inspired by Amanda’s life with her nine children on their remote 2,000-acre hill farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen (Image: SUBMIT)

Readers will follow the family as they walk beside a winding river, watch wildlife, camp beneath the stars and spend time with a sheepdog puppy beside the fire.

The stories are intended to show both the demanding and quieter sides of life on a working farm, with the Owen children and Ravenseat’s animals providing much of the inspiration.

Published by Puffin and illustrated by Becca Hall, the collection is aimed at children aged six and above and has been designed for parents and youngsters to read together at bedtime.

The front of Amanda’s new book (Image: SUBMIT)

It will also contain quizzes and a glossary explaining farming words and phrases encountered throughout the stories.

An audiobook version, narrated by Amanda herself, will be released alongside the hardback and ebook editions.

Amanda, who was born in Huddersfield before moving into farming, has previously spoken about how reading James Herriot’s books helped inspire her to pursue a life in the countryside.

She has since written five Sunday Times bestselling books and published her first children’s collection, Christmas Tales from the Farm, in 2025.

Amanda with some of her children (Image: SUBMIT)

That book introduced younger readers to festive stories based on the people and animals living around Ravenseat, including runaway reindeer, mischievous goats and a clever sheepdog.

Its paperback edition is due to be published on October 1, adding to Amanda’s growing collection of books for children.

The new release comes as Amanda, her former husband Clive and their children prepare to return to television later this year.

Channel 4 previously commissioned two further series of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, which follows the family’s efforts to restore a derelict farmhouse close to Ravenseat.

Some of Amanda’s children (Image: SUBMIT)

The property, known locally as Anty John’s, is being transformed into a new family home after years of neglect.

The forthcoming episodes will see work move inside the building, with the family planning its rooms and tackling major jobs including plumbing and the installation of running water.

Cameras will also continue to document everyday farming life at Ravenseat and Amanda’s efforts to uncover the history of the old property.

The programme marked Amanda and Clive’s return to television together following the end of their hugely successful Channel 5 series Our Yorkshire Farm.

That show attracted audiences of more than three million viewers and followed the challenges of raising nine children while running one of Britain’s most isolated hill farms.

At an event held this morning (August 1) at York Mosque, people gathered to share tea and biscuits with its community and show their solidarity after the events of the last few days with attendees including emergency services, politicians, and nearby residents.

It follows North Yorkshire Police saying a man was arrested after a shot was reportedly fired using an air rifle outside the mosque in Bull Lane at about 2.20am on Thursday (July 30).

Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, senior operational commander for York and Selby, said it had been a “worrying time for everyone connected to York Mosque”, but the police investigation “has not identified an intention to cause injuries or distress to people”.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The force said there was also no evidence to suggest the alleged incident was “specifically targeted against the Muslim community in York”.

Police confirmed yesterday that a 44-year-old York man arrested in connection with the investigation has been charged with possessing a loaded air weapon, a .22 air rifle, in a public place.

He has been bailed with conditions, including to keep away from York Mosque, and is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on September 21, police said.

No one was injured during the alleged incident and the mosque has since resumed its daily prayers.

At the mosque, Professor Mohammed El-Gomati, one of the founders of York Mosque and its spokesperson, said that they were humbled by the support that they’d received from the public and the appreciative of the police’s support.

Professor Mohamed El-Gomati, one of the founders of York Mosque (Image: Dylan Connell)

He said: “The police were very quick; they managed to identify the culprit very quickly and arrested the person. They cordoned the mosque, got their evidence, and thankfully we were able to reopen for our community kitchen.

“Two, if not three, times the amount of people who normally would come to our events came along, so we had easily over one hundred people attend. It’s nice to see and hear that type of engagement. We’ve had a lot of well wishers who wrote cards for us and phoned in, so we’re really humbled.

“I’m proud of this and really humbled by the reaction – it makes me so proud that this is the city that I’m a citizen of. That person does not represent the community in York.”

He was joined by fellow event organiser and the mosque’s president, Mohamad Douba, who said the air rifle being reportedly discharged was “disturbing for many members of our community” but he was delighted to see people in the city rally around them.

York Mosque Community Kitchen on Thursday (July 30) with Faizal Mohamudbuccus, centre (Image: Faizal Mohamudbuccus)

Mohamad said: “Obviously, it’s great to know that if anything happened here in the future, we would be safe. The number of messages showing their support we’ve had is overwhelming and it makes us feel proud to be part of the community in York.

“We’ve had messages from all different faith groups and non-religious people have been sending their messages, plus the neighbours have dropped cards in to stay they stand with us.

“We feel like we have a duty for the wider community too with the kitchen, our open days, and we love to invite the community to chat with us just like today.

“Some people haven’t interacted with Muslims before and they have misconceptions from what they hear in the media, so when they do, they realise they’re people just like us.”

Also at the event were a number of York’s politicians, including the Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Fisher and York Central MP Rachael Maskell.

Squash, crisps, and biscuits (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

Rachael said: “It’s really important what the Muslim community in York have done today in opening their doors to the wider community as a means of saying thanks for all the support they’ve had.

“I know people across the city have been really shocked in hearing about the incident. I’m grateful for the police for the swift action, but also in giving that assurance to the community to that, they are there for everybody across York.

“I think York just works as a community, and I think the people here are a testament to this community – even this week, supporting people experiencing deprivation and just bringing people together and talking, that’s what we want is to feel that sense of solidarity.”

Rachael Maskell and Tony Fisher (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

Tony added: “I sent an email to the Mosque showing my support after Thursday and they sent me a nice response inviting me down. I’ve been here three or four times before and I’ve been treated like an honoured guest and I know quite a few of the people here.

“They’re just such a nice people and the relationship between the Muslim community and the rest of the city is just exemplary.”

The senior Reform member wasn’t pulling any punches. ‘There’s no way Nigel puts this behind him now,’ he told me. 

‘The five million quid isn’t going to go away. George Cottrell isn’t going away. I don’t understand what he was thinking. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t see how we move on from it.’

Another Reform insider was equally scathing of their leader. ‘The Clacton stunt was madness. He’s totally marginalised himself and the party. Recess is the moment we traditionally capitalise. But we’re nowhere. We’re just talking to ourselves.’

Even three months ago, such seditious talk would have been unthinkable. There were tensions and factions inside Reform, as there are inside all parties. 

But they were confined to backbiting among Nigel Farage’s lieutenants, MPs and activists. Criticism of Farage himself was essentially confined to eye-rolling over his time-keeping.

But now senior members of the party are starting to think the unthinkable. ‘Nigel isn’t immortal,’ one said. ‘What he’s done is incredible. But there’s a limit to what one man can achieve.’

Farage had hoped the summer recess, and his bold gamble of attempting to turn the table on his political pursuers by provoking a by-election in his staunchly supportive Essex constituency, would result in a transformation of his political fortunes. Instead he has placed himself at the centre of a perfect storm.

His failure to adequately address questions over his £5 million gift from Thai crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne started to raise concerns internally.

The dramatic decision – taken with a small clique of senior advisers but without any wider consultation – to resign and promote his Clacton showdown poured petrol on these smouldering embers of discontent. Discontent that rapidly heightened when it emerged his sole serious challenger in the contest would be Count Binface.

But what has finally tipped people over the edge is the collapse of both Reform’s national polling numbers and Farage’s own ratings.  

Reform have basically been in decline since last October. But the brutal defenestration of Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham’s bounce and Kemi Badenoch’s remarkable resurrection have sent their numbers into freefall.

At the peak of their support nine months ago, Reform were on 31 per cent, 11 points ahead of Labour and a full 14 points ahead of the Conservatives. Today they are languishing on 24 per cent, just one point ahead of Burnham’s party, and only five points ahead of Badenoch’s Tories.

The collapse in Farage’s personal ratings has been even more precipitous. At the start of last October, he had an approval rating of minus 10 – of itself not the most ringing endorsement but still 11 points better than Badenoch and a staggering 30 points above the benighted Starmer. 

Today he sits on minus 22, 31 points below Andy Burnham and 24 points below the Tory’s Lady Lazarus.

This breakdown in Farage’s personal standing has resulted in an implosion of Reform’s discipline.

Even when Farage wins his by-election, it will be an empty victory. Election night will be a circus, as he attempts to bask in his triumph over Count Binface, Baron Von Thunderclap and Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, writes Dan Hodges

As for Farage’s inner circle, long-standing suspicion has turned into a concrete belief there is a traitor in their midst

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, was described to me by one insider as ‘completely out of control. The press office have no idea what he’s going to do or say’.

As for Farage’s inner circle, long-standing suspicion has turned into a concrete belief there is a traitor in their midst. According to one source: ‘Someone is out to get Nigel. The stuff people are getting on the finances is too detailed. We’ve got a rat on the inside.’

The result is the number of people trusted to make decisions has shrunk to a tiny core of acolytes. Which in turn has added to the party’s dysfunctionality.

‘Nigel should be devolving decision-making,’ one former ally told me, ‘but instead everything’s becoming more centralised and secretive. It’s unsustainable.’ 

It is. Within Westminster there is a settled narrative that says if Farage is forced to walk away from politics, Reform are effectively finished.

But in reality the opposite is true. Unless Reform find a way to move on from Farage, they are doomed.

The polls are unequivocal. Reform’s leader has always been a divisive figure. But that divisiveness has morphed into a politically terminal toxicity.

The number of people who passionately dislike Reform’s leader now outweighs those who idolise him by a margin of almost two to one. And crucially, the former group are prepared to lend their votes to just about anyone if it means keeping him out.

‘Look at the coverage Chris [Philp, the Tory home affairs spokesman] has been getting on small boats. That’s Farage’s issue. And we’ve been running rings round him,’ says a Tory strategist

Advertisement

Caerphilly. Gorton. Makerfield. The Manchester mayoralty. The pattern is now established. Reform begins the campaign seemingly as favourites. And ends it comfortably defeated after an unofficial anti-Farage – he would say ‘uniparty’ – coalition unites to stand in his way.

Then there is Farage himself. The political antenna that once enabled him to judge the mood of the British people in a way that appeared psychic has been snapped off. As exemplified by his Clacton gamble, which has turned into an unmitigated disaster even before a single ballot has been cast. 

Earlier in the week I had a drink with a couple of senior Tory strategists, who were literally raising their glasses to their old nemesis.

‘Because of the broadcasting rules on by-elections, there are now limits on how much coverage he’s allowed,’ one explained delightedly. ‘That’s given us the space to control the agenda. Look at the coverage Chris [Philp, the Tory home affairs spokesman] has been getting on small boats. That’s Farage’s issue. And we’ve been running rings round him.’

Even when Farage wins his by-election, it will be an empty victory. Election night will be a circus, as he attempts to bask in his triumph over Count Binface, Baron Von Thunderclap and Nick The Incredible Flying Brick.

The fact that he has held Reform’s safest seat in the country will – literally – Count for nothing. The man who a year ago was being touted as a future Prime Minister will have gambled everything to effectively become the mayor of Clacton.

Farage’s internal critics are right. There is no escape for him now. The leaks will continue. The questions will mount. The police are starting to take a growing interest in Reform’s affairs. And the attempts to deflect with increasingly hysterical claims of an ‘establishment stitch-up’ are not having the desired effect. So his party is about to face a reckoning.

In my view, it’s not actually a one-man-band. Lee Anderson is an authentic and robust tribune for working people. Richard Tice brought a discipline and professionalism to his time as leader. Rob Jenrick is a polished and persuasive media performer.

And in the weeks and months ahead they will have a decision to make. Is it really the case Reform are nothing without Farage?

Or are they a serious political party, rather than a monument to one man’s folly?

Tim Booth of James has revealed the band have had to pull out of their Belladrum set hours before they were due on stage

Lead singer of indie rock band James has apologised to fans after the group were forced to pull out of a show at the last minute. The Manchester band were expected to perform at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in Scotland today (August 1).

However, hours before their showing, singer Tim Booth took to Instagram announce the sad news. In a video on the social media platform, Booth shared his ‘deep regret’ and apologised to those making their way to the festival.

Tim said: “It’s with deep regret that I have to tell you that we have to cancel this gig tonight at Belladrum.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

“I’ve been fighting off a viral infection for a few days and I’ve finally lost my voice. This deep sexy rasp is not my usual voice, so we hardly ever cancel but we have no choice this time.

“We’re here, the band’s here, the crew’s here and I know many of you have come in from miles around to see this concert and it’s awful and I hate letting you down… I’m so sorry and I hope we’ll be back…”

Thankfully the show will go on, with the band revealing Razorlight have stepped in to close the festival, the Mirror reports. The post was captioned: “Truly sorry to inform you that James won’t be playing tonight at Belladrum, on medical advice.

“Sorry to those of you who were really looking forward to seeing us, especially those who have travelled far and wide to come to this great event. We hate to let you down. Hopefully We can arrange to come back within the next year or so to make it up to you.”

The announcement was met with concern in the comments section, but many offered well wishes. One user wrote: “We wish you a speedy recovery,” while another added: “Your health has to come first. The fans will wait get well soon Tim xx”

Tim recently opened up to the Mirror about his love of touring and performing. He said: “Our live reputation is snowballing.

“Yeah, and you know we’re a nine-piece band, and that’s a live event rather than when you see these rappers where they’re just playing to backing tracks or musicians playing to backing tracks.

“We believe that watching a really well constructed song with cello, violin, guitar, trumpets, two drummers, keyboards is is entertainment in itself, and our connection to an audience is is in the moment, is in the live moment. It’s always been our strongest suit, and always for us, the mark of authenticity.”

Speaking of his connection to his audience, he added: “I love contact. I love eye contact. It’s something that really feeds me, and feeds us as a band.

“The whole point of a live gig is you get this feedback loop going. That we put out this song, they give us back this response.

“We therefore have that energy, and then we put that back out, and then it keeps on building like some kind of battery of optimism, of positivism, of ecstasy, and that’s what we’re looking for. “

Former Premier League footballer John Terry was seen joining country music star Luke Combs on stage at his Wembley Stadium gig as they chugged beers together

Ex-footballer John Terry was met with a chorus of boos as he made a surprise appearance on stage with country music star Luke Combs during his Wembley Stadium concert. The former Chelsea and England captain, 45, joined the American singer, 36, on stage during the opening night of his three-night Wembley residency on Friday.

Taking part in Luke’s now-famous beer shotgun tradition in front of a packed crowd of around 90,000 fans, John appeared delighted to join in the show. But as he walked out on stage to greet the singer, many in the audience could be heard booing the footballer as he embraced Luke before downing a pint of beer, to a mixture of boos and cheers.

Despite the frosty reception, the pair carried on with the ritual, with the boos continuing to ring around the stadium as Luke cracked open his drink alongside the former defender. After finishing their beers, Luke launched his empty can into the side of the stage while John opted to kick his into the crowd before the pair shared a quick hug.

Luke then returned to performing his hit song 1, 2 Many, while John quietly left the stage to watch the rest of the concert. For the surprise cameo, John kept things casual in a white T-shirt, navy trousers and a flat cap.

The unexpected appearance quickly became a talking point on social media, with many fans admitting the moment felt uncomfortable, while others suggested Luke may not have realised how divisive the former footballer remains among sports fans.

One fan wrote: “Got booed by the whole of the stadium, quite awkward tbh, both for him and Luke.” Another commented: “I didn’t know who he was, but he’s got booed where I was stood.”

A third added: “Oh no Luke. This ain’t the one.” Others echoed the reaction, writing: “It didn’t go down very well,” while another joked: “I guess Luke didn’t realise JT’s popularity in the UK.” One more fan simply quipped: “Someone sounds popular…”

John has long divided opinion throughout his football career and beyond.

The former defender was at the centre of several high-profile controversies during his playing days, including rumours of an affair with the former partner of ex-England teammate Wayne Bridge. More recently, he also attracted criticism from some England supporters after appearing alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the World Cup.

Away from football, John has been enjoying family life with wife Toni Terry. The couple recently shared highlights from their trip to the United States with their 20-year-old twins, Summer and Georgie, as England competed at the World Cup.

The family visited New York, Boston and Miami, documenting sightseeing trips, fishing excursions, baseball games and time spent relaxing on the water. The holiday came just weeks after John and Toni celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes on social media.

John wrote: “Happy Anniversary Mrs T. 19 Years Married to this amazing woman, we enjoy so many good times together and never give up in the bad times, we only get closer. You are my rock, my best friend, my greatest supporter, and the love of my life. Happy Anniversary Baby.”

Toni also marked the occasion with her own post, writing: “Happy Anniversary Mr T. 19 years married. I love all the amazing memories we have made over the years together and with our beautiful family. You’re my world and I love you.”

The couple married at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June 2007 in a lavish ceremony reportedly costing close to £1 million.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on

TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .